Caroline Wolfe Papocchia - Occasionally in our travels we encounter lovely venues for special events and weddings, and a recent visit to the Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont was no exception. Nestled in the state's renowned green mountains, Topnotch offers an all-in-one travel experience that is as refined as it is rustic, equally ideal for a conference or a destination wedding.

(Topnotch Resort & Spa by Topnotch on Flickr)Most people hear Stowe and think of skiing, skiing, and more skiing, but we were there in June and found plenty of entertainments without the stress and hassle of tourists around every corner - not the least of which were the massive indoor and outdoor pools and the elegantly appointed spa.

For more active guests, Topnotch and Stowe offer a seemingly endless array of rigorous, outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, tennis, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.